Teen Team Features

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We design our Earthwatch Teen Expeditions specifically and exclusively for 15- to 18-year-olds. They’re unlike any other experience a teenager can have.

Do something special this summer: hike through beautiful tropical forests, follow clear rivers, and look for native birds, lizards, and frogs—all to support quality science.

Join this one-time survey into the remotest parts of the forest to look for eight endangered amphibian species. Three of these frogs have not been spotted in nearly 20 years, but might still be out there—all of Puerto Rico's forests need to be explored before researchers can officially say they are extinct. And while you're looking for these elusive amphibians, you might find species new to science, because the reverse is also true: no one knows yet exactly what lives in this remote area.

Under the leadership of herpetologist Norman Greenhawk, you'll try your hand at a wide array of activities: catching frogs and anoles (a type of lizard), identifying them and taking their measurements, and even exploring the forest at night when these little creatures are most active. With your help, these researchers—and ultimately all of us—can become better stewards of the animals that depend on our forests.

Tree work: (teams will work on 1 or 2 depending on weather conditions)

Planting and/or monitoring endemic, critically endangered tree species as part of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife program.

Collecting seedlings from the forest for reforestation efforts all over Puerto Rico.

Herpetology: (All teams work on all aspects of Data collection, but only the teen team will work on #2 due to availability of acoustic monitors.)

Amphibian survey and chytrid testing- Volunteers will assist PI in a nighttime frog collection. Frogs will then be tested for chytridiomycosis, a disease that is killing amphibians around the world. Volunteers will learn testing methods, how to handle amphibians, and basic field sanitation techniques, and will then get hands-on experience taking the test samples from frogs. Tests are done with a large skin swab, and no frogs are harmed during the testing.

Acoustic Monitoring Survey- Teens will assist PI with setting out and collecting acoustic monitoring units in Icaco Valley. These portable units are contained in a waterproof shell and will be left in various locations throughout the forest, then collected in a few days. During that time, the units will record every ten minutes; this allows us to gather several thousand recordings during one deployment, which in turn are used to identify amphibians and birds by their calls. Additionally, temporal models can be developed using the collected data, allowing us to know at what times each species is most active.

Data logger collection- Last summer, several data loggers were deployed into Icaco Valley. Every 30 minutes for the past year, those units have taken a temperature and humidity reading. This allows us to get an idea of the environmental conditions of Icaco Valley, where most of our endangered amphibians are located. The time has come to collect the data loggers from the field and download the data. Volunteers will help with this task and subsequent data analysis on the field station computer. This task will be completed in conjunction with the Acoustic Monitoring Survey.

Day hike (Time Permitting)- Most of the research will focus on amphibians. However, if time permits, volunteers will be taken on a day hike and will learn about the Anolis lizards that live in the forest, including how to identify them by species and sex, and their role in the forest ecosystem.

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Stay in the rainforest

Fresh, local fruits and veggies

You’ll stay in our bunkhouses or in large tents on platforms, protected by roofs that keep the camping area dry; both bunkhouses and tents are on the main homestead. The bunkhouses accommodate ten each. Tents are separated by gender and can accommodate 2-4 volunteers. We provide mattresses, sheets, and pillows for both the tents and the bunkhouse; however, please bring your own lightweight sleeping bag, as the evenings can get chilly.

The project has many great chefs on staff, and you’ll have the opportunity to sample Caribbean cooking and other diverse cuisines. Local fruits, vegetables, and seasonal greens from the garden will be used whenever possible. Three volunteers will be asked to assist with meal preparation and clean-up after each breakfast and dinner. On a day off you will get to visit the beautiful city of Old San Juan.